Machu Picchu Dream on Hold

May 28, 2008

Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city in the clouds. I guess I never thought of bringing up the subject of our trip to Machu Picchu, but as Shelly pointed out in her comment, we would have left for Peru last Friday.

To me it’s obvious why we aren’t in Peru right now, but I know it’s not really common knowledge that high altitude and pregnancy don’t mix. That doesn’t mean that pregnant women can’t fly in an airplane, as the air in the passenger compartment is acclimated so we don’t suffer any ill affects of the high altitude.

What it does mean, however, is that if a pregnant woman isn’t used to high altitudes (i.e. myself and anyone else living below, let’s say, the altitude of Colorado Springs year-round), she shouldn’t go trouncing around mountains where it’s typical to use supplimental oxygen on a daily basis.

When Kevin and I found out I was pregnant in late February, I made the call to Southern Explorations and explained that we would have to cancel our trip to Machu Picchu.

I won’t lie and say that I’m not a little itty bitty bit disappointed, as hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has been a life-long dream of mine, but it’s truly hard to be wholly disappointed because of why we had to cancel our trip.

I know that as soon as we are able, Kevin and I will take that trip, even if it happens after we retire. 🙂

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

katelin May 28, 2008 at 3:05 pm

well maybe you’ll be able to fulfill this dream when le baby is older?

and you definitely had good reasons to postpone 🙂

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Polina May 30, 2008 at 8:30 am

You’re a very smart mom-to-be. I know many occasions where pregnant ladies behaved as if “absolutely nothing made them be different from their normal state” and had complications afterwards. Is is better to wait for a couple of years more and see Machu Picchu together with your whole family than take a trip and be afraid of how it would affect your and the child’s health.

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Viveca May 30, 2008 at 9:02 pm

Congratulations on the babe in waiting! Machu Picchu will be there for you when the time is right ’cause dreams do come true.

One of my best friends went there when she was 80 years old!!! I am waiting my turn …

Viveca

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Dave June 4, 2008 at 12:09 am

I too have a dream to travel there one day. The only achievement I hold right now is that I’ve been on top of Mt.Kinabalu in Malaysia for four times now….. No! I think it’s five now and another trip this September will make it six 🙂

Hope your dream will be fullfilled before you reach 80 🙂

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Shelly June 8, 2008 at 1:04 pm

I didn’t even think about the altitude and pregnancy. Good call – it’s tough enough when you’re just a regular not pregnant person. MP isn’t going anywhere – you can take the little one someday. 🙂

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